In a message dated 26/07/2006 20:46:28 GMT Standard Time,
pete@xxxxxxxxxxx.wanadoo.co.uk writes:
As far as I am aware regarding chippers etc., if you bought it recently
(new or secondhand) it should have a CE mark and certificate of
conformity which pretty much tell you it conforms to all the current
regulations (until they change they the regs!!). If not, I would guess
you have a number of hoops to jump through to prove it is 'legal', i.e.,
noise assessment, guarding etc. by applying the relevant individual
regulations (PUWER, Noise At Work Regs etc.) To the best of my
knowledge the only specific guidance relating to chippers concerns the
dimensions etc. of the feed hopper/chute to ensure that no-one can fall
in or accidentally reach the feed rollers. You can find details here:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/sectors/ag_food/1_02_07.pdf
http://hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais38.pdf
More general advice on using chippers can be found in AFAG604 (one of
the former FASTCo guides) here:
http://hse.gov.uk/pubns/afag604.pdf
Topher, Pete,
The latest HSE regs regarding chippers, that is no bottom 'stop' bar if the
hopper is below two feet (or whatever it says) is a definite retrograde
step,
chipper designers are now working to get around the regs rather than trying
to make their machines work as the operator would prefer.
I buttonholed the HSE at the 05 Trade Fair and dragged them to compare
chippers on a couple of stands. They sucked in their teeth and admitted that
the
lower sloping hoppers were not ideal and looked slightly embarassed at the
situation. Dunno whether they'll have the guts to go back on their
'improvements' ever!
When it comes to the crunch you'll probably be on your own and I'd advise
making sure that the crunch never comes insofar as that's feasible.
Bill.
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